My father was admitted to the hospital twice in one year for the same type of illness. The second bill was a little more than half the amount of the first one, but Medicare paid hardly any of it. And although his doctor recommended he go to a rehabilitation center after the second hospital stay,… Read more »
Every fall we receive questions about Medicare open enrollment from adult children in the area. Because many of them are not yet eligible for Medicare, they need advice on how to help their aging parent navigate through the yearly open enrollment process. What is Medicare Open Enrollment? For those unfamiliar with the open enrollment period,… Read more »
Caregivers face challenges they may never have expected. Many are caring for aging parents while struggling to juggle their own children’s needs and a full-time job. Others are providing care for a senior loved one who has Alzheimer’s disease and trying to find ways to manage difficult behaviors. What we know about caregivers is that… Read more »
If your summer fun includes a senior loved one, planning heart smart menus is important. Many picnic and party foods are high in fat, salt, and sodium. All three are known to contribute to an increase in blood pressure and can exacerbate existing conditions such as Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease… Read more »
Mother’s Day is just around the corner and when brainstorming gift ideas it can be hard to know what to get, especially for the mom that “don’t want anything”. A Digital Photo Album A digital photo frame is a great way to share new pictures with your mom that she can easily display in her… Read more »
In the event of an emergency, Power of Attorney and Living Will documentation are helpful to have in place. These documents protect your wishes and finances for your family. Health Care Power of Attorney First let’s look at what the Power of Attorney for Health Care covers: This document allows you to designate a person… Read more »
We are thrilled to help our residents safely visit with their families! Understanding risk, but also recognizing the benefits of visiting with loved ones, Optalis residents are able to enjoy visitation, with some guidance provided by the CDC and CMS in regards to the core principles of infection control to mitigate the risks to our… Read more »
Now that summer has arrived in central Ohio, many families are busy planning for a vacation. If your summer travel plans will include an older loved one, taking a few extra precautions can make the trip more enjoyable for everyone. Traveling Well with Your Senior Parents Plan Your Itinerary Carefully: When you are traveling with… Read more »
The current generation of seniors typically didn’t move much. Many have lived in their same home for many decades. After you have lived in a home for a number of years, it is easy to find you have accumulated a lot of extra belongings. It may lead adult children to have a difficult time assessing… Read more »
